Too much snow can be too much of a good thing, according to organisers of this year's 33rd Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival.
A dump of snow in downtown Queenstown yesterday (Thursday), followed by more snow today and the promise of a cold snap to come, has forced festival organisers to reluctantly cancel or postpone some festival events.
"Due to the current snow situation, a predicted storm with temperatures expected to plummet, and high winds, we have made the decision to cancel these events for safety reasons," said festival manager Sally Feinerman.
"I know people will be disappointed, but we have to consider everyone's safety and wellbeing, and with the storm that's predicted and the wind chill factor we've been told to expect, we unfortunately could not let these events proceed."
Tonight's (Friday) Lindauer Party in the Park, scheduled to start at 6pm, has been cancelled and organisers urged people to stay at home and keep safe and warm.
"Everything was in order to deliver the event, but with current road conditions it would be irresponsible to stage an event that would encourage people to venture out," said Ms Feinerman.
Prime Minister Helen Clark was scheduled to fly into Queenstown late this afternoon to officially open the festival, but winter snow conditions forced the closure of Queenstown Airport and she was unable to make it into the resort.
However Ms Feinerman had one piece of good news for Queenstown families and visitors -- the ever-popular American Express Fireworks display HAS been re-scheduled for 6.30pm during the Telecom Mardi Gras on Tuesday night (June 26).
On tomorrow's programme, (Saturday June 24) a decision has also been made to cancel the popular Bayleys Festival Parade, again for safety reasons.
Also cancelled are the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts market, and the performance by the Salvation Army National Youth Band. A decision will be made tomorrow on Saturday's Frisbee Golf in Queenstown Gardens, and The Bikefix Ironhorse Mountain Bikes on Snow has been rescheduled from tomorrow (Saturday) to 12 noon on Saturday June 30th.
On Sunday, the Skyline Gutbuster has also been cancelled.
"It's the first time in festival history that we have been forced to make the decision to cancel this number of events, but it's in the best interests of spectators, competitors and our festival staff," Ms Feinerman said.
Weather conditions are forecast to improve from Sunday morning and festival organisers are hopeful that the programme of events will return to normal with the SkiDealsNZ.com Day on The Bay from midday on Sunday.
Events that are currently still scheduled to proceed tomorrow (Saturday June 23) include the Mask Making Community Workshops at the Queenstown Art Rooms, the Moose Magic Charity Match at the Queenstown Fun Centre, and the Lindauer Masquerade Ball at the Millennium Hotel.
